Cancer-recovery children given the chance to sail this weekend

10 children in recovery from Cancer and Leukaemia will take part in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race aboard two yachts this weekend.

The young crew picked to sail onboard Scarlet Oyster (a 48ft Oyster) and Spirit (a 38ft broadblue catamaran) have all previously sailed with The Trust and come from all over the UK. The Trust aims to support children and young people until they reach remission and inviting them back to take part in events such the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race as part of an overall support plan.

Daniel Monk and Katie Miller will also be competing onboard 21 -foot Corribee Elecktra. Daniel was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2002 and joined The Trust on their first trip in 2003. In 2005 Daniel sailed with The Trust for the Round the Island Race, two days before the start he discovered his leukaemia had returned and he needed a bone marrow transplant. One of his main motivations during his treatment was to return in 2006 to race and complete the 55-mile course. He succeeded, finishing the course in the top third Through support from The Ellen MacArthur Trust, Daniel has since completed a Commercial Yachtmaster course at UKSA, and is aiming to work with The Trust as a skipper in the future.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust will also have teams of walkers and cyclists attempting to circumnavigate the Island at the same time as the race. Thirty cyclists from JPMorgan’s Bournemouth office have raised over £4,000.